Push button switch

ABSTRACT

A push button type electrical switch assembly has reparable body sections defining therebetween a chamber containing spaced fixed electrical contacts and spaced moveable electrical contacts carried by an arm which is resiliently restrained from moving the moveable contacts toward the fixed electrical contacts when as associated plunger-like actuator is depressed against the arm; after sufficient force is applied to the arm via the actuator the resilient resistance to the movement of the arm is overcome and the moveable contacts are permitted to snap into engagement with the fixed electrical contacts.

United States Patent 1191 Miller et a1.

1 1 PUSH BUTTON SWITCH [75] Inventors: Gerald K. Miller; Dale L. Bull;

Norman A. Rautiola, all of Reed City, Mich.

[73] Assignee: Narton Corporation, Reed City,

Mich.

[22] Filed: Aug. 25, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 283,645

[52] US. Cl. 200/67 D, 200/159 R, 200/168 G [51] Int. Cl. H01h 13/36[58] Field of Search 200/67 D, 168 G, 159 R [56] References Cited UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 1,960,020 5/1934 McGall 200/67 D 2,181,068 11/1939 Riche200/67 D 2,595,967 5/1952 McCloy 200/67 D 2,714,141 7/1955 Urey et a1.200/67 D 2,813,943 11/1957 Winter ZOO/67 B 3,153,708 [0/1964 Guthrie200/83 P June 25, 1974 3,183,333 5/1965 Golbeck 200/159 R 3,209,0919/1965 Freathy et a1 1 200/51 R 3,588,423 6/1971 Hallerberg ZOO/168 G3,612,793 10/1971 Roeser ZOO/168 G Primary Examiner-David Smith, Jr.Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Lon H. Romanski 5 7 ABSTRACT 4 Claims, 5Drawing Figures PUSH BUTTON SWITCH BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The priorart has proposed various forms of normally open electrical switchassemblies; however, such have not been found to satisfy a great numberof application requirements. For example, especially where relativelyhigh electrical currents are to be experienced in the switch itself, anyslow movement of one moveable electrical contact toward another willquickly result in deterioration of such electrical contacts because ofelectrical arcing which will take place between such contacts as theyexperience slow relative motion therebetween.

Attempts to, in turn, cause rapid motion of such moveable contacts as bythe employment of manually actuated cam means have not proven to besatisfactory because, aside from the increased cost of such earns, themotion of the cam is still, in the main; directly inde pendent upon therate of speed at which manual actuation is performed.

Other attempts at creating switch assemblies wherein a snap action isintroduced into the movement of such moveable contacts have, to afunctional degree, succeeded; however, such arrangements have usuallyrequired sensitive over-center type tripping mechanisms or otherrelatively complex and costly mechanisms. Further, in such prior artsnap-acting switch assemblies it is usually impossible to attain such asnap-action movement when the total permissible travel of the relatedactuating member is very short.

Accordingly, the invention as herein disclosed and described isprimarily directed to the solution of the above as well as other relatedproblems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the invention, an electric switchassembly comprises at least first and second relatively fixed electricalconductor means spaced from each other, third electrical conductor meansnormally spaced from said first and second electrical conductor means,resilient restraining means operatively connected to said thirdelectrical conductor means spaced from said first and second electricalconductor means, and actuator means effective for creating a forceagainst said resilient restraining means so as to cause said thirdelectrical conductor means to move toward said first and secondelectrical conductor means and thereby complete an electrical circuitthereacross.

Various general and specific objects and advantages of the inventionwill become apparent when reference is made to the following detaileddescription considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings, wherein for purposesof clarity certain details and elements may be omitted from one or moreviews:

FIG. I is a perspective view ofa switch assembly embodying the teachingsof the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged axial cross-sectional view taken generally on theline 22 of FIG. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but illustrating several of theelements in positions other than that illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken generally on the plane of line 44of FIG. 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows; and

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary exploded view of basically two of the elementsshown in each of FIGS. 2, 3, and 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now in greater detailto the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates, in perspective, a switch assembly10 embodying the teachings of the invention. Generally, as is shown inFIG. 1 and, more specifically in FIGS. 2 and 3, the switch assembly 10comprises first and second electrically non-conductive body sections orportions 12 and 14 which when assembled, generally define a chamber 16therebetween. An elastomeric type boot member 18, having a transversewall 20, may be carried at one end of the body section 14 and securedthereto as by an outer housing 22 which has its one end 24 spun orotherwise formed over an annular portion 26 of boot 18 thereby holdingthe boot l8 and body or housing sections 12 and 14 in assembledrelationship.

A plunger-like actuating member 28 has a first stem portion 30 slideablyreceived within a guide passageway 32 formed in housing or body section12 and a second stem portion 36 slideably received in a second guidepassageway 38 of outer housing or container 22. Intermediate the stemportions 30 and 36, the actuator 28 is provided with an enlargedcylindrical body 40 which is slideably received within both cylindricalopenings 42 and 44 respectively formed in outer housing 22 and housingsection 12 and respectively terminating in radiating annular shoulders46 and 48. The outer end of stem 36 may be provided with a buttonlikemember 50, suitably secured thereto, as for manual engagement thereof.

The shank portion of outer housing 22 is preferably threaded as at 52for threadable engagement with cooperating nuts 54, 56 between which alock-type washer 58 may be situated. Nuts 54 and 56 may be employed forretaining the entire switch assembly 10 to a suitable related supportstructure, for example, fragmatairly illustrated at 57.

Body or housing section 12 is preferably provided with a tubular-likeextension 60 which is slideably received within a cooperatingcylindrical opening 62 in outer housing 22 and which also receives acompression spring 64 for operatively engaging the enlarged portion 40of actuator 28 and thereby normally resiliantly maintaining the actuator28 in the position shown with portion 40 abutting against stop shoulder46. An annular space formed generally between axially spaced portions ofouter housing 22 and stem 60 of body section 12, receives a suitableseal therein such as an O- ring 63.

Body or housing section 14, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, providesvarious surfaces many of which are at varying planes or levels withrespect to each other. For example, a first surface 66 is provided forsecuring thereto one end 68 of a switch contact-carrying arm 70illustrated as being secured by a screw 72 so as to be, as viewed inFIG. 2, normally cantilevered from surface 66.

A second relatively larger surface 74 formed at a Ieval lower thansurface 66, when reviewed in FIG. 4, carries a pair of electricallyconductive plates 76 and 78 which at their respective one ends havefixedly retained thereto electrical contacts 80 and 82 and which attheir respective opposite ends are secured to terminal posts 84 and 86as by staking the otherwise protruding ends 88 and 90 of terminals 84and 86 against or over conductor plates 76 and 78. Terminals 84 and 86are, of course, rigidly secured to the housing or body section 14, inany manner as is well known in the art, thereby permitting the rapid andeasy plug-in thereto of any related electrical connector socket (notshown) without causing any movement of any of the elements in the switchassembly which are connected to such terminal posts.

As is best seen in FIG. 4, the contact-carrying arm 70 has a generallymedially disposed arm portion 92 and an integrally formed generallylaterally extending contact-carrying portion 94 at the moveable endthereof. Also, as best seen in FIG. 4, the arm member 70 has a generallyrectangular cut-out 96 formed therein to generally receive therethrougha vertically extending spring-retaining portion or perch 98. Afinger-like or tab extension 100 is also carried by the laterial portion94 in a manner as to be extending generally inwardly of the opening 96.

Finger 100 is adapted to be received within a cooperating aperture 102formed in one leg 104 of a generally U-shaped spring 106 which has aflange-like portion 108 formed on its other leg 110.

A slot 112 formed in vertical extension or support 98 is adapted toreceive therein flange or tab 108 of U- shaped spring 106 as well as aspring retainer 114 of generally L-shaped configuration with the footportion thereof serving to engage the flange 108 of spring 106 andthereby hold it in the slot 112. With reference to FIG. 2, it can beseen that when the switch assembly is in a normal condition, that is,with plunger actuator 28 in the position shown, leg 104 of spring 106contained and confined within the opening 96 is resiliently deflectedtoward the other leg 110 as well as toward the spring perch 98.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 in the preferred form, a relativelythicker plate-like electrical conductor 116 is carried atop the lateralportion 94 of arm member 70 and, in turn, is electrically connected toelectrical contacts 118 and 120 which have their contacting portionsdisposed below the lateral portion 94 and so located as to be generallyjuxtaposed to fixed contacts 80, 82, respectively.

In addition to the various internal surfaces already described, housingor body section 14 also carries a pedestal-like portion 122 defining astop or abutment surface 124 which, in the embodiment shown, is at alevel or elevation generally between surface 66 and surface 74.

OPERATION OF THE INVENTION As generally indicated in FIG. 1, terminals84 and 86 are adapted for connection to associated circuit means such ashaving terminal 86 placed in circuit with a grounded source ofelectrical potential 126 while terminal 84, through conductor means 128,is placed in circuit with electrically energizeable means 130 which, forexample, may be an electrical starter system for an internal combustionengine.

In the normal condition of the switch assembly, the various elementscomprising switch assembly 10 would assume positions as depicted inFIGS. 2 and 4. At this time the resilient force of the somewhat loadedU- shaped spring 106 causes the lever or arm member to assume a positionwhich results in the lowest possible preload to exist in U-shaped spring106. This, of course, causes arm member 70 to assume a positionsubstantially as depicted in FIG. 2 with the result that upper moveablecontacts 118 and 120, carried by lateral transverse portion 94, are heldaway from lower fixed electrical contacts and 82, respectively. In thiscondition, the electrical circuit through the switch assembly 10 isopen.

When it is desired that the switch assembly complete or close anelectrical circuit therethrough, the switch actuator 28 is depressed,against the resilient resistance of spring means 64 so as to thereby,through end 132 of electrically non-conductive plunger actuator 28,apply a force against the arm member generally in the vicinity of 134 ofmedial arm 92.

When a force is thusly applied, medial arm 92, be cause it is preferablyresiliently deflectable, starts to move toward surface 124 of pedestalportion 122 in a somewhat bowed configuration. That is, the initialforce applied as at 134 of medial arm 92 is not sufficient to overcomethe resilient resistance of U-shaped spring 106 which must experience adegree of increased deflection before it will permit downward movementof the lateral portion 94 and electrical contacts 118 and 120 carriedthereby.

Accordingly, as actuator plunger 28 continues to exert an increaseddownward force against the medial arm 74 causing it to bow to a greaterextent, the U- shaped spring 106 experiences two directional resultingforce components. One of such components causes leg 104 to be furtherdeflected toward opposed leg while the other force component isgenerally parallel to the direction of movement of actuator means 28tending to move or deflect the U-shaped spring 106 generally into thebody recess 130. When such force components become sufficiently great,the U-shaped spring 106 in effect snaps to the position generallydepicted in FIG. 3 (while still exhibiting a slight upward resilientforce) permitting the lateral transverse portion 94 to correspondinglymove downwardly and causing moveable contact 118 to engage fixedelectrical contact 80 and simultaneously causing moveable contact toengage'fixed contact 82 thereby completing the electrical circuit fromterminal 86, plate conductor 78, fixed contact 82, moveable contact 120,conductor plate 1 16 (as well as lateral portion 94 if it isconductive), moveable contact 118, fixed contact 80, plate conductor 76,and terminal 84.

Of course, when the external force applied to the actuator means 28 isremoved, both the resilience of arm 70 and any existing resilience ofspring 106 cause the arm 70 including the lateral transverse portion 94thereof to again move upwardly assuming a position as generally depictedin FIG. 2.

Various modifications of the invention are contemplated. For example, inapplications where a boot-type seal such as 18 is not necessary suchboot 18 may be eliminated. Further, it is conceivable that the separatehousing or body section 12 can in effect be eliminated by combining thefunctional aspects thereof with, for example, the outer housing 22.Obviously, the overall length of the switch assembly may be suitablyaltered to meet whatever requirements there may exist in terms of itsapplication to related structure.

Other modifications include the possibility of eliminating the fixedcontacts 80, 82 and merely employing the surfaces of plates 76 and 78 asthe electrically contacting surfaces. Further, even though thetransverse plate-type conductor 116 has been illustrated as being atopthe lateral transverse portion 94, such plate-type conductor 116 mayactually be positioned on the underside of lateral portion 94 and, insuch case, of course, moveable contact 118 and 120 could also beeliminated thereby permitting the plate conductor 116 to serve as thecontacting means. Also, even through the deflectable arm 70 has beenillustrated as being formed of electrically conductive material (whichmay be any suitable metal such as, for example, beryllium copper) it maynevertheless be formed of nonconductive material as, for example,plastic.

Further, the switch assembly has been illustrated employing male typeterminals 84, 86. It should, of course, be apparent that other types oftenninal means could be employed among which, for example, would befemale type socket terminals, ring type terminal forming a part of anassociated wiring harness.

The invention also contemplates the modification of dispensing with theouter housing 22 and employing, for example, an annular retainer to holdbody or housing sections 12 and 14 together. It would, of course, bepossible to secure such a modified assembly to the related supportstructure as by a push-on type fastener, well known in the art, appliedto the outer surface of extension 60 of housing section 12.

Although only one preferred embodiment of the invention has beendisclosed and described, it is apparent that other embodiments andmodifications of the invention are possible within the scope of theappended claims.

We claim:

1. A normally open electric switch assembly, comprising at least firstand second relatively fixed electrical conductor means spaced from eachother, third electrical conductor means normally spaced from said firstand second electrical conductor means, resilient restraining meansoperatively connected to said third electrical conductor means andnormally resiliently maintaining said third electrical conductor meansspaced from said first and second electrical conductor means, manuallyengageable and actuatable electrically non-conductive actuator meanseffective for creating a force against said resilient restraining meansso as to cause said third electrical conductor means to movesimultaneously toward said first and second electrical conductor meansfor operative electrical contact therewith and thereby complete anelectrical circuit from said first to said second electrical conductormeans, an arm member, said arm member being supported in a mannerproviding for deflection of at least a portion thereof, said firstelectrical conductor means comprising a first fixed electrical contactportion, said second electrical conductor means comprising a secondfixed electrical contact portion, said third electrical conductor meanscomprising a separate plate-like conductor secured to said arm portionand of a length effective for completing an electrical current path asbetween said first and second electrical contact portions, said actuatormeans being effective for operatively engaging said arm member forcausing said third electrical conductor means to move toward anelectrically closed position simultaneously against said first andsecond fixed electrical contact portions, first and second housingsections, said first housing section being effective for carrying saidfirst and second electrical conductor means, said first housing sectioncarrying said resilient restraining means in a manner as to be situatedgenerally medially of said first and second electrical conductor means,said arm member being cantilevered from a portion of said first housingsection, said first housing section further comprising an abutmentportion formed in general juxtaposition to said arm member, saidactuator means comprises a plunger-like member slideably received withinsaid second housing section, said abutment portion being effective forproviding a fixed stop for limiting the degree of deflection of said armmember by said plunger member, said abutment portion being so located asto be generally axially medially of said first housing section, saidplunger-like member being so located as to be generally axially alignedwith the axial medial portion of said second housing section, a pair ofterminal members, each of said terminal members extending through andbeing secured to said first body section, one of said terminal membersbeing connected to said first electrical conductor means and the otherof said terminal members being connected to said second electricalconductor means, a first seal secured to said first body section as tocover an axial end face of said first body section and to annularlycircumscribe and sealingly engage each of said pair of terminal members,said seal also including an annular portion generally circumscribingsaid first body section, a second seal operatively sealingly engagingsaid plunger-like member, and an outer housing effective for engagingsaid second housing section and said annular portion of said first sealto thereby hold said first and second housing sections in sealedassembled relationship and simultaneously be effective for containingsaid second seal in sealing engagement with said plunger-like member.

2. An electric switch assembly according to claim 1 wherein said thirdelectrical conductor means also comprises first and second electricalcontact members, wherein said separate plate-like conductor is carriedby said portion of said arm member in a manner as to be disposed on afirst side of said portion of said arm member which is opposite to asecond side thereof juxtaposed to said first and second fixed electricalcontact portions, said separate plate-like conductor being retained tosaid portion of said arm member by said first and second electricalcontact members, each of said first and second electrical contactmembers being disposed on said second side of said portions of said armmember and extending through said portion of said arm member toretainingly engage said separate plate-like conductor and therebycontain said portion of said arm member generally between said first andsecond electrical contact members on one side thereof and said separateplate-like conductor on the other side thereof, and said first andsecond electrical contact members being spaced from each other as to bein generally respective juxtaposed relationship to said first and secondfixed electrical contact portions.

3. An electric switch assembly according to claim 1 wherein saidresilient restraining means comprises a U- shaped spring member having afirst leg thereof secured directly to a fixed electricallynon-conductive portion of said first housing section, wherein said armmember is formed to provide an opening therethrough, wherein a secondleg of said U-shaped spring member extends through said opening, whereinsaid second leg includes an aperture formed therethrough, and whereinsaid arm member comprises a finger-like extension extending generallyinwardly of said opening as to be thereby received within said aperturein said second leg whereby movement of said third electrical conductormeans toward said first and second fixed electrical contact portionscauses generally corresponding movement of said second leg ofsaidU-shaped spring member.

4. A normally open electric switch assembly, comprising at least firstand second relatively fixed electrical conductor means spaced from eachother, third electrical conductor means normally spaced from said firstand second electrical conductor means, resilient restraining meansoperatively connected to said third electrical conductor means andnormally resiliently maintaining said third electrical conductor meansspaced from said first and second electrical conductor means, manuallyengageable and actuatable electrically non-conductive actuator meanseffective for creating a force against said resilient restraining meansso as to cause said third electrical conductor means to movesimultaneously toward said first and second electrical conductor meansfor operative electrical contact therewith and thereby complete anelectrical circuit from said first to said second electrical conductormeans, an arm member, said arm member being supported in a mannerproviding for deflection of at least a portion thereof, said firstelectrical conductor means comprising a first fixed electrical contactportion, said second electrical conductor means comprising a secondfixed electrical contact portion, said third electrical conductor meanscomprising a separate plate-like conductor secured to said arm portionand of a length effective for completing an electrical current path asbetween said first and second electrical contact portions, said actuatormeans being effective for operatively engaging said arm member forcausing said third electrical conductor means to move toward anelectrically closed position simultaneously against said first andsecond fixed electrical contact portions, first and second housingsections, said first housing section being effective for carrying saidfirst and second electrical conductor means, said first housing sectioncarry ing said resilient restraining means in a manner as to be situatedgenerally medially of said first and second electrical conductor means,said arm member being cantilevered from a portion of said first housingsection, said first housing section further comprising an abutmentportion formed in general juxtaposition to said arm member, saidactuator means comprising a plunger-like member slideably receivedwithin said second housing section, said abutment portion beingeffective for providing a fixed stop for limiting the degree ofdeflection of said arm member by said plunger member, said abutmentportion being so located as to be generally axially medially of saidfirst housing section, said plunger-like member being so located as tobe generally axially aligned with the axial medial portion of saidsecond housing section, a pair of terminal members, each of saidterminal members extending through and being secured to said first bodysection, one of said terminal members being connected to said firstelectrical conductor means and the other of said terminal members beingconnected to said second electrical conductor means, a seal operativelysealingly engaging said plunger-like member, and an outer housingeffective for engaging said second housing section and said seal tothereby hold said first and second housing sections in assembledrelationship and simultaneously be effective for containing said seal insealing engagement with said plunger-like member.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENT NO. 3,319,891

DATED 1 June 25, 1974 INVENTOR(S) I Miller, G. K. Bull, Dale L. andRautiola, Norman A.

It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent andthat said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 1, lines 20 and 21, immediately after "directly" change"independent" to --dependent--.

Column 5, line 14, after "even" change "through" to -though--.

Claim 1, line 42 thereof, immediately after "actuator means" change"comprises" to ---comprising--.

Signed and sealed this 10th day of June 1975.

(SEAL) Attest:

v C. MARSHALL DANN RUTH C. MASON Commissioner of Patents AttestingOfficer and Trademarks UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OFCORRECTION PATENT NO. 3,319 ,891

DATED 1 June 25, 1974 INVENTOR(S) I Miller, G. K. Bull, Dale L. andRautiola, Norman A.

It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent andthat said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 1, lines 20 and 21, immediately after "directly" change"independent" to --dependent--.

Column 5, line 14, after "even" change "through" to -though--.

Claim 1, line 42 thereof, immediately after "actuator means" change"comprises" to ---comprising--.

Signed and sealed this 10th day of June 1975.

(SEAL) Attest:

v C. MARSHALL DANN RUTH C. MASON Commissioner of Patents AttestingOfficer and Trademarks

1. A normally open electric switch assembly, comprising at least firstand second relatively fixed electrical conductor means spaced from eachother, third electrical conductor means normally spaced from said firstand second electrical conductor means, resilient restraining meansoperatively connected to said third electrical conductor means andnormally resiliently maintaining said third electrical conductor meansspaced from said first and second electrical conductor means, manuallyengageable and actuatable electrically non-conductive actuator meanseffective for creating a force against said resilient restraining meansso as to cause said third electrical conductor means to movesimultaneously toward said first and second electrical conductor meansfor operative electrical contact therewith and thereby complete anelectrical circuit from said first to said second electrical conductormeans, an arm member, said arm member being supported in a mannerproviding for deflection of at least a portion thereof, said firstelectrical conductor means comprising a first fixed electrical contactportion, said second electrical conductor means comprising a secondfixed electrical contact portion, said third electrical conductor meanscomprising a separate plate-like conductor secured to said arm portionand of a length effective for completing an electrical current path asbetween said first and second electrical contact portions, said actuatormeans being effective for operatively engaging said arm member forcausing said third electrical conductor means to move toward anelectrically closed position simultaneously against said first andsecond fixed electrical contact portions, first and second housingsections, said first housing section being effective for carrying saidfirst and second electrical conductor means, said first housing sectioncarrying said resilient restraining means in a manner as to be situatedgenerally medially of said first and second electrical conductor means,said arm member being cantilevered from a portion of said first housingsection, said first housing section further comprising an abutmentportion formed in general juxtaposition to said arm member, saidactuator means comprises a plunger-like member slideably received withinsaid second housing section, said abutment portion being effective forproviding a fixed stop for limiting the degree of deflection of said armmember by said plunger member, said abutment portion being so located asto be generally axially medially of said first housing section, saidplunger-like member being so located as to be generally axially alignedwith the axial medial portion of said second housing section, a pair ofterminal members, each of said terminal members extending through andbeing secured to said first body section, one of said terminal membersbeing connected to said first electrical conductor means and the otherof said terminal members being connected to said second electricalconductor means, a first seal secured to said first body section as tocover an axial end face of said first body section and to annularlycircumscribe and sealingly engage each of said pair of terminal members,said seal also including an annular portion generally circumscribingsaid first body section, a second seal operatively sealingly engagingsaid plunger-like member, and an outer housing effective for engagingsaid second housing section and said annular portion of said first sealto thereby hold said first and second housing sections in sealedassembled relationship and simultaneously be effective for containingsaid second seal in sealing engagement with said plunger-like member. 2.An electric switch assembLy according to claim 1 wherein said thirdelectrical conductor means also comprises first and second electricalcontact members, wherein said separate plate-like conductor is carriedby said portion of said arm member in a manner as to be disposed on afirst side of said portion of said arm member which is opposite to asecond side thereof juxtaposed to said first and second fixed electricalcontact portions, said separate plate-like conductor being retained tosaid portion of said arm member by said first and second electricalcontact members, each of said first and second electrical contactmembers being disposed on said second side of said portions of said armmember and extending through said portion of said arm member toretainingly engage said separate plate-like conductor and therebycontain said portion of said arm member generally between said first andsecond electrical contact members on one side thereof and said separateplate-like conductor on the other side thereof, and said first andsecond electrical contact members being spaced from each other as to bein generally respective juxtaposed relationship to said first and secondfixed electrical contact portions.
 3. An electric switch assemblyaccording to claim 1 wherein said resilient restraining means comprisesa U-shaped spring member having a first leg thereof secured directly toa fixed electrically non-conductive portion of said first housingsection, wherein said arm member is formed to provide an openingtherethrough, wherein a second leg of said U-shaped spring memberextends through said opening, wherein said second leg includes anaperture formed therethrough, and wherein said arm member comprises afinger-like extension extending generally inwardly of said opening as tobe thereby received within said aperture in said second leg wherebymovement of said third electrical conductor means toward said first andsecond fixed electrical contact portions causes generally correspondingmovement of said second leg of said U-shaped spring member.
 4. Anormally open electric switch assembly, comprising at least first andsecond relatively fixed electrical conductor means spaced from eachother, third electrical conductor means normally spaced from said firstand second electrical conductor means, resilient restraining meansoperatively connected to said third electrical conductor means andnormally resiliently maintaining said third electrical conductor meansspaced from said first and second electrical conductor means, manuallyengageable and actuatable electrically non-conductive actuator meanseffective for creating a force against said resilient restraining meansso as to cause said third electrical conductor means to movesimultaneously toward said first and second electrical conductor meansfor operative electrical contact therewith and thereby complete anelectrical circuit from said first to said second electrical conductormeans, an arm member, said arm member being supported in a mannerproviding for deflection of at least a portion thereof, said firstelectrical conductor means comprising a first fixed electrical contactportion, said second electrical conductor means comprising a secondfixed electrical contact portion, said third electrical conductor meanscomprising a separate plate-like conductor secured to said arm portionand of a length effective for completing an electrical current path asbetween said first and second electrical contact portions, said actuatormeans being effective for operatively engaging said arm member forcausing said third electrical conductor means to move toward anelectrically closed position simultaneously against said first andsecond fixed electrical contact portions, first and second housingsections, said first housing section being effective for carrying saidfirst and second electrical conductor means, said first housing sectioncarrying said resilient restraining means in a manner as to be situatedgenerally medially of said first and second elecTrical conductor means,said arm member being cantilevered from a portion of said first housingsection, said first housing section further comprising an abutmentportion formed in general juxtaposition to said arm member, saidactuator means comprising a plunger-like member slideably receivedwithin said second housing section, said abutment portion beingeffective for providing a fixed stop for limiting the degree ofdeflection of said arm member by said plunger member, said abutmentportion being so located as to be generally axially medially of saidfirst housing section, said plunger-like member being so located as tobe generally axially aligned with the axial medial portion of saidsecond housing section, a pair of terminal members, each of saidterminal members extending through and being secured to said first bodysection, one of said terminal members being connected to said firstelectrical conductor means and the other of said terminal members beingconnected to said second electrical conductor means, a seal operativelysealingly engaging said plunger-like member, and an outer housingeffective for engaging said second housing section and said seal tothereby hold said first and second housing sections in assembledrelationship and simultaneously be effective for containing said seal insealing engagement with said plunger-like member.